TN SECRETARIAT REOPENS AS SUPER-SPECIALITY HOSPITAL

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa inaugurated the hospital via video-conferencing from the State Secretariat.

After overcoming legal hurdles and addressing a host of re-engineering issues, the multi super-specialty hospital on the Omandurar Government Estate was formally inaugurated by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa through video conferencing on Friday.

Established at a cost of about Rs. 143 crore, the hospital has come up at the site where the Assembly and a section of the Secretariat functioned during 2010-2011. Originally built for the Assembly and a host of offices meant for the Chief Minister, Cabinet ministers and some government departments, the building, which now houses the hospital, has a plinth area of 10 lakh sq ft.

On Ms. Jayalalithaa’s return to power in May 2011, the Secretariat moved back to Fort St. George. In August that year, she announced that the building on the estate would be used to accommodate a multi super-specialty hospital.

The hospital has super-specialties such as cardiology, cardiothoracic wing, neuro surgery, vascular surgery, reconstructive hand micro surgery, medical and surgical oncology and neurology, besides units for blood transfusion, post-operative care, intensive care and radio diagnosis. There are 14 operation theatres — two each on the ground and first floors and four each on the fifth and sixth floors. For the benefit of patients, two ramps have been provided, from the sixth floor to the ground floor. In addition to 300 toilets, an additional 212 toilets have been constructed.

The hospital has facilities including cardio cathlab, neruo cathlab, and digital X-ray, MRI and CT scan, in addition to 20 dialysis units.

A computerised hospital management information system is in place. Two hundred intercoms and five hundred local telephone connections are available. Each floor has a battery-operated car, apart from a 11-seater car for movement outside the hospital. Two canteens, one on the ground floor for caregivers and another on the third floor, have been set up. Clinical nutritionists are in place to provide specialised patient diet. There are about 160 CCTVs. For maintenance and security, the services of 150 persons are being utilised through outsourcing. Mechanical sweepers are being employed, said a senior official.

Initially, posts for 83 doctors and 232 paramedical staff have been created.

Another building on the estate, now being remodelled for a medical college, is likely to be ready in a year, said an official of the Public Works Department.